Neymar, all-time top scorer for the Brazilian team, He trained this Wednesday at the same pace as the rest of his Canarinha teammates, in his first public appearance since training began for the World Cup 2026, at the end of May.
Santos’ number 10, who had been out since May 17 due to an injury to his right calf, appeared smiling on the fields of Columbia Park, in Morristown (New Jersey, United States), escorted by Marquinhos, captain of the ‘Seleção’, and Raphinha.
“Did they miss me?” the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player asked the large group of reporters and photographers who had gathered at the security fences to capture his image.
“The wait is over! Hallelujah!”some journalists exclaimed when they saw the ‘Seleção’ idol.
With his rejoining the group, He is expected to be available for the match on the second day of Group C against Haition Friday, in Philadelphia, although it will be difficult for him to play.
At the beginning of the training session, open to the press and with the entire group, Neymar received applause from his teammates and even went through a hallway of collejas to celebrate his return to the group dynamic.
The 10 had already stepped on the grass on Tuesday for the first time since arriving in the United States, although alone.
At a press conference, Danilo, one of the leaders of this Brazilian team, celebrated the return of the former Saudi Al-Hilal player.
“He can help us a lot, just by the mere fact of being on the court he can unbalance everything that the opponent has prepared,” said the Flamengo full-back at the concentration hotel in Basking Ridge, near Morristown.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester City player hopes that Brazil’s number 10 is “well physically” and can pay “a good tribute” to the World Cup, “as he always did.”
“Wherever he has gone he has shown his quality,” he added.
Neymar was injured on May 17 during a ‘Brasileirão’ match, a day before coach Carlo Ancelotti announced his name in the list of 26 for the World Cup.
Santos initially reported that he had just “an edema”, but the CBF subjected him to new tests that confirmed a more serious injury than expected, grade II, with an estimated time of absence of between two and three weeks.
Despite everything, Ancelotti kept him in the squad and defended the footballer’s presence due to his experience.
In these last fifteen days, ‘Ney’ has undergone medical tests, has undergone physiotherapy sessions and has exercised in the gym.
Neymar, 34, has not played for the senior team since October 17, 2023. when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee with the ‘Seleção’ in a South American qualifying match against Uruguay, in Montevideo.
The second challenge in the World Cup is the logo here! We remain focused on preparation. 🇧🇷💛#BateNoPeito
📸 Rafael Ribeiro and Nelson Terme/CBF pic.twitter.com/595HzGZxow
— brazil (@CBF_Futebol) June 17, 2026